Inter wide man Denzel Dumfries has been at the centre of attention in the EURO 2024 semi-final, as he gave away a controversial England penalty, performed a goal-line clearance for the Netherlands and hit the crossbar.
The right-back hasnβt particularly impressed in the tournament so far, but he was certainly drawing the spotlight in the semi-final this evening.
Dumfries centre of attention
After the Xavi Simons opener, VAR called back the referee to award a penalty for his high boot block on Harry Kane.
It was a very contentions decision, as they both seemed to go for the ball and some refereeing experts (and even England fans) did not think it would warrant a VAR On-Field Review, but German official Bastian Dankert thought otherwise and called Felix Zwayer to the monitor.
Penalty β πππ or ππ? π€
Frankly, does anyone care?#Euro2024 | #NEDENG pic.twitter.com/6c9cjMQhEF
β ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 10, 2024
While this kind of penalty is given fairly regularly in Italy, it is also one that the authorities in Serie A are trying to eradicate, as when two players go for the ball, a matter of milliseconds can be the difference between a clean block and a penalty.
π£οΈ βItβs an absolute DISGRACEβ¦ Itβs nowhere near a penalty.β
π£οΈ βThat was RECKLESS from Dumfries.β#Euro2024 | #NEDENG | @IanWright0 | @GNev2 pic.twitter.com/MBcwzzIgxi
β ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 10, 2024
Dumfries made up for the spot-kick, as moments later he cleared a Phil Foden solo effort off the line to keep the score at 1-1.
HOW HAS THAT NOT GONE IN?! π€―
Foden is denied by Dumfries on the line β#Euro2024 | #NEDENG pic.twitter.com/rFloT7eZau
β ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 10, 2024
The Inter man also nearly added to the scoreline, as his towering header on a corner thumped the crossbar.
π¬π¬π¬
Dumfries heads onto the bar! #Euro2024 | #NEDENG pic.twitter.com/2z2sYogcex
β ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 10, 2024
Never a penalty! The Dutch got robbed.
Kane kicks Dumfries and England get a penalty? Last time England got a lucky break in the semi against Denmark – and once again it seems to be the case.